My first post here. Dad’s trusty number 10 is now in my hands replacing a Delta lightweight contractor saw that served me well renovating an 1820 Federal Colonial and doing a kitchen and bath. It’s been well maintained for the most part since he bought it new in 1981. It just needs a solid under table cleaning and table polishing. Hasn’t been used in about 4 years so will lube everything, replace drive belt and pulleys, and rewire for 220 with a new paddle switch. Has the original mitre gauge and jet lock fence in very good condition. Trying to work on a tight budget so new fence and mitre gauge is out for now. Arbor is tight and I’ll resquare the blade when it’s clean. It’s got a mobile base and my thought was to buy a couple nice aluminum extrusion to face the old jet lock and mitre gauge to increase capacity and accuracy and give me some jig attachment points.

I’m getting concerned though with the shortage of Delta parts. My local dealer, Saw Center in MA has told me that very little of the Delta specific parts are available now new. Much is on back order and with Delta’s recent ownership changing, it’s getting tougher. Any thoughts from you pros on what I’m in for? Obviously my initial investment so far is zero and the saw’s size and quality suit my abilities perfectly. My lust list starts with cast iron wings to replace the stamped ones. The fence and mitre faces, belts, pulleys, and new paddle switch should only be $150 tops. Pics are coming, saw is being worked on at my cousin’s basement.

David W.Newton, MA

3 replies so far

These Delta contractors were built pretty tough and they probably sold more of them than Powermatic has ever built. The old Jet Lock fences are crap so replace that when you can. If the bearings are good you’ll probably get another 20 years of out it and with a modern fence it’ll be a better saw than anything you can buy today for under $1000.

That’s my sense which is why I would never sell it to buy something new. I will probably look around for very cheap additional number 10’s to cannibalize for parts. When did they switch over to Asian sourcing for those saws. I just looked on Delta’s website and noticed that they don’t sell any contractor saws now. Unisaw or nothing!